DeKalb DA calls for investigation of school board

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - Another DeKalb County grand jury has called for a special investigation of the county school board, and the district attorney is now pursuing it.

In a scathing report Thursday, the grand jury “strenuously urged” District Attorney Robert James to call on a special grand jury for action. James said he will ask the superior court judges to convene a special grand jury for the investigation, but the 10 judges will have to vote and make the final decision.

The last time this recommendation was made was in December, but James said he hoped to work with board members. This time, he’s changed his mind.

“The things they've put forward are troubling to any citizen of this county, any parent of this county," James said.

The grand jury’s main qualm with school board is fiscal responsibility.

“The citizens of DeKalb County deserve to know that those responsible for the education of our children are in fact acting in their best interest and making the best use of public funds,” the report said.

The grand jury questioned why taxpayers are on the hook for $100,000 in legal bills for former superintendent Crawford Lewis, who's been indicted for racketeering. There are also concerns about why the district is continuing an expensive civil suit against its former construction program manager Heery-Mitchell.